Regulated United Europe at SBC Summit Barcelona 2023: Building Global Connections in the Gambling and iGaming Sector

In September 2023, Regulated United Europe (RUE) proudly attended the SBC Summit Barcelona, a global event that has become one of the most respected and influential in the sports betting and iGaming industries. Taking place in the vibrant heart of Barcelona, the summit brought together over 15,000 participants, including regulators, operators, affiliates, software providers, payment institutions and compliance specialists. It provided an exceptional opportunity for leaders in the gambling industry to discuss the future of gaming, explore new regulatory developments and establish strategic partnerships that continue to influence the direction of the sector worldwide.

The atmosphere at the SBC Summit Barcelona was electric, filled with innovation, open discussions and a shared passion for achieving responsible and sustainable growth in the global gambling industry. With global experts in sports betting, iGaming and technology-driven entertainment gathered under one roof, the RUE team had a unique opportunity to witness first-hand how the industry is evolving and adapting to the rapidly changing digital economy.

For Regulated United Europe, participation in this event marked an important milestone in our firm’s journey. At that time, our legal and compliance teams were actively expanding into the gambling and entertainment law sector, establishing a specialised division dedicated to providing licensing, AML/CTF compliance, corporate structuring, and operational support for gaming-related businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. Our attendance at the SBC Summit Barcelona reflected RUE’s strategic commitment to understanding the latest global trends and to establishing itself as a leading advisory firm for gaming operators, affiliates, and software providers entering or operating within regulated markets.

Our involvement in the summit went beyond simple observation. It was a step towards establishing RUE as a key player in the international gambling compliance landscape and helping both established companies and new entrants to navigate the complex web of legal frameworks governing the industry. The event enabled our team to meet face-to-face with global industry leaders, discuss future trends such as AI in responsible gaming, blockchain integration in iGaming platforms and data-driven compliance monitoring, and gain an understanding of the real challenges that operators face when expanding into new jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the conference offered RUE a valuable opportunity to gain deeper insights into how various jurisdictions, ranging from the European Union to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, approach the regulation of gambling and betting. These insights have been instrumental in refining our own service offering, enabling us to advise clients more effectively on cross-border licensing, compliance harmonisation, and international corporate setup. At the time of the summit, RUE was already working with an increasing number of clients seeking gambling licences in Estonia, Lithuania and Malta, as well as in non-EU jurisdictions such as Curaçao, Costa Rica and the Isle of Man. Attending SBC Barcelona enabled our legal team to connect directly with potential partners, technology providers, and regulatory consultants, thereby enriching our understanding of the nuances and best practices of each jurisdiction. This knowledge continues to guide our work today as we support clients in structuring transparent, compliant, and innovative gaming operations across Europe and beyond.

For RUE, participating in the SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 was more than just a professional engagement — it was a valuable learning experience and an opportunity to expand our network, reaffirming our commitment to combining legal precision with industry expertise. Our participation demonstrated our commitment to remaining at the forefront of global regulatory developments, understanding market needs and cultivating meaningful relationships with key figures in the gaming and technology sectors.

Exploring the Future of Gaming Regulation

The SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 brought together regulators, operators, technologists, and legal experts to debate, forecast, and co-create the future regulatory framework for gaming and iGaming. For RUE, the summit provided valuable insights into the latest regulatory trends, jurisdictional changes, and technological disruption in the gambling sector.

Throughout the multi-day event, our team attended various keynote presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions on topics such as AI and machine learning in gaming platforms, cross-border licensing and compliance, cryptocurrency and stablecoin payments in gambling operations, and player protection, responsible gaming and fraud prevention. These sessions allowed us to deepen our understanding of how regulators and industry stakeholders envisage the future of iGaming and how RUE’s legal strategies must evolve.

One of the standout exhibitors at SBC Barcelona 2023 was GR8 Tech, a Cypriot B2B iGaming technology provider renowned for its sportsbook and casino aggregation solutions. GR8 Tech has publicly acknowledged its participation in SBC Barcelona 2023. Engaging with companies like GR8 Tech, whose business models span multiple jurisdictions, reinforced our belief that modern legal counsel must be globally aware yet locally precise.

We also noted a strong presence from leading iGaming operators, affiliate networks, payment providers and software vendors. The density of these gatherings enabled RUE’s attorneys to engage in in-depth regulatory discussions with compliance officers, legal counsels and business development teams. During these conversations, we gained first-hand insights into how operators interpret jurisdictional licensing demands, negotiate with regulators and align their internal systems to meet AML, KYC and data privacy standards.

These industry interactions have had a direct impact on RUE’s legal methodology. The knowledge we gathered at SBC Barcelona has influenced how we structure licensing support frameworks, especially for gambling and betting businesses entering the EU, how we design compliance and risk management documents, and how we guide clients in navigating multi-jurisdictional regulatory regimes. As the iGaming sector is highly dynamic, constantly influenced by regulatory reforms, payment innovations and cross-border competition, our participation in these discussions ensures that we can be proactive rather than reactive.

In short, SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 was a valuable networking and learning opportunity, as well as a strategic investment in regulatory foresight. The insights gained there now enable RUE to offer gambling and iGaming clients — from start-up operators to established platform providers — more robust, future-proof legal services, ensuring they remain compliant, resilient and competitive as the regulatory landscape evolves.

Networking and Building Lasting Partnerships

Although Regulated United Europe (RUE) did not host a booth at SBC Summit Barcelona 2023, our presence was far from passive. From day one, our team engaged in meaningful discussions with leading figures from the sports betting, iGaming, marketing and technology sectors. The event had a remarkable energy — the halls were buzzing with innovators and professionals from all over the world, all united by a shared mission to shape the future of gaming and betting responsibly.
Our representatives spent most of the summit moving from booth to booth, connecting with companies whose vision closely aligned with our own. These included several globally recognised names, such as GR8 Tech, BetConstruct, SoftSwiss, Endorphina, SoftGamings and EvenBet Gaming. Each of these companies is known for its technological innovation and international reach. We held conversations with their compliance and business development teams about how the European regulatory environment is evolving, and how legal strategies can help them maintain long-term compliance while expanding into multiple jurisdictions.
As one of our representatives noted,

“Every booth felt like a new opportunity to connect innovation with regulation. We weren’t just discussing licensing frameworks — we were exchanging ideas about how the gaming industry can evolve in a sustainable and ethical way.”

Many of these interactions continued well beyond Barcelona. Some of the companies we met later became RUE’s clients, trusting us to guide them through the complexities of market entry and regulatory approvals with our expertise in EU gambling law, AML compliance, and international licensing. While we cannot disclose the specific names due to confidentiality agreements, several collaborations initiated during SBC have since developed into long-term partnerships that continue to this day.

The connections we established were not limited to gaming operators. We also met marketing agencies, affiliate networks and IT solution providers, all of which play a crucial role in supporting the gaming ecosystem. These included firms specialising in affiliate marketing campaigns, performance analytics, and digital infrastructure solutions. Many of them were interested in how RUE’s legal team could support their operations in ensuring compliance with advertising regulations, cross-border marketing laws, and responsible gaming requirements.

One of the marketing company representatives told us,

‘It’s rare to find a law firm that truly understands both the commercial and regulatory sides of the gambling industry. What impressed us about RUE was how practical your advice is — it’s not just legal theory, it’s business strategy.”

This kind of feedback reinforced our belief at RUE that real partnerships are built not just on technical knowledge, but on understanding the client’s business model and goals. The SBC Summit provided the perfect opportunity to reinforce this philosophy, enabling us to meet clients face-to-face, understand their needs, and demonstrate the personal touch of legal consultancy.

Throughout the event, our team observed strong global interest in EU-regulated jurisdictions such as Malta, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as an emerging trend of crypto integration within iGaming platforms. Many companies were seeking legal guidance on integrating digital asset payments into their betting operations while maintaining compliance with gaming and financial regulations. These discussions aligned perfectly with RUE’s growing expertise in MiCA licensing and crypto-asset compliance, creating even more opportunities for collaboration across sectors.

By the end of the conference, we had met with representatives from over 40 companies, exchanged dozens of business cards and arranged follow-up consultations with many of them. Some of these meetings evolved into long-term advisory relationships, helping clients obtain gambling and remote gaming licences, build internal AML frameworks and launch operations across Europe. Others evolved into strategic partnerships with technology firms and marketing agencies, thereby strengthening RUE’s network within the wider digital entertainment ecosystem.

As one of our partners reflected after the event,

‘What made SBC Barcelona special wasn’t just the scale — it was the quality of the people we met. Everyone came with genuine curiosity and a willingness to collaborate. It reminded us that the gambling industry is built on trust, and trust begins with the right conversation”.

For RUE, SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 was more than just another conference — it was a turning point in the way we engage with the gaming world. It helped us build new bridges, reinforce existing ones and establish our firm as a trusted legal partner for companies seeking to operate responsibly in the rapidly evolving global gambling landscape.

From Barcelona to global reach

The conversations that began at SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 did not end when the conference lights dimmed — they became the foundation for RUE’s global expansion in the months that followed. Informal exchanges on the exhibition floor transformed into strategic partnerships, new projects and long-term collaborations across multiple jurisdictions.

For Regulated United Europe (RUE), the summit served as a springboard to further establish itself as a global leader in gambling and gaming compliance. Shortly after the event, our dedicated Gaming and Entertainment Law Division began expanding its operations to new regions, offering tailored regulatory and licensing support to companies seeking to establish or scale their gambling businesses internationally.
While RUE’s expertise was already well-established within the European Union — particularly in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Malta — the period following SBC marked the beginning of a broader, more global outlook. A growing number of enquiries from operators based in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America revealed a clear trend: the industry was rapidly looking to Europe as the gold standard for regulation, and RUE was ready to guide these companies there.

Expanding Across Jurisdictions

Following SBC Barcelona, RUE supported several clients in obtaining remote gambling and betting licences across a variety of jurisdictions, including Malta, Curaçao, the Isle of Man and Costa Rica. Each of these regions offers unique opportunities and regulatory structures, and our team worked closely with local partners and regulators to ensure smooth application processes.

Malta, for example, remains one of the most respected gaming jurisdictions in the world, governed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Our direct engagement with gaming operators at SBC helped us refine our advisory approach for clients applying under MGA supervision, covering everything from preparing internal control systems to drafting compliance manuals and risk management frameworks.

Meanwhile, in Curaçao and Costa Rica, we assisted clients who were transitioning from less regulated structures to more transparent, internationally recognised frameworks. Our lawyers guided them through every stage, from company incorporation and due diligence to gaming licence applications, compliance documentation and regulatory audits.

Each project demonstrated our ability to balance a global perspective with local precision, ensuring that every client received a solution that was tailored to their jurisdiction, business model and long-term goals.

Growing Beyond Europe

The SBC Summit also opened doors for RUE outside of Europe. Our discussions with Asian and Middle Eastern operators — many of whom were interested in obtaining EU licences to legitimise their operations — resulted in new advisory relationships forming, which continue to this day.

These conversations paved the way for RUE’s strategic plan to expand its services into the Asian market. We have established cooperation with regional legal advisors and compliance consultants to support clients interested in cross-border gaming operations. As interest in blockchain-based betting, Web3 gaming and NFT-integrated casino systems grows among regulators, RUE has positioned itself as one of the few European legal consultancies capable of offering MiCA compliance and gaming law expertise under one roof.

By combining our experience in crypto regulation with our in-depth knowledge of gambling compliance, we now provide integrated legal frameworks for businesses exploring the intersection of fintech and entertainment — a niche where innovation meets regulation and the future of digital gaming is being shaped.

From Connections to Achievements

Several of the companies we met in Barcelona have since launched fully licensed operations under RUE’s guidance. Whether in Europe, the Caribbean or Latin America, these success stories reflect our firm’s philosophy that every connection has the potential to become a long-term partnership.
As one of our partners commented after the event,

“The SBC Summit was a turning point. We left Barcelona not just with new business cards, but with new collaborations that are now shaping our company’s growth.”

RUE continues to maintain close communication with many of the contacts established at the SBC Summit. Through regular virtual meetings, compliance consultations and strategic follow-ups, we ensure that our clients obtain their licences and maintain compliance as their operations grow.

The post-conference period also enabled our team to enhance coordination between our offices in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Cyprus, ensuring a consistent approach to serving clients in the gambling and iGaming industries. This structure enables us to deliver comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional solutions — from corporate setup to full licensing and compliance maintenance — under one coordinated legal framework.

Continuing the Journey

Today, the legacy of SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 continues to resonate within RUE. The partnerships forged during the conference have become integral to our daily work, case portfolio, and global identity. We look back at those days in Barcelona with immense gratitude — not only for the professional opportunities, but also for the human connections, shared vision and mutual trust that have since blossomed into tangible results.
RUE’s participation in SBC Barcelona proved that meaningful relationships begin with meaningful conversations and that a genuine interest in clients’ success is the cornerstone of every lasting partnership. This experience has reinforced our belief that legal excellence is not defined by distance or geography, but by collaboration, commitment and the courage to grow together across borders.

Looking forward: Expanding our presence at global gaming conferences (2026–2027)

The success and inspiration we gained from participating in the SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 and other international events have shaped a new chapter in RUE’s development — one that is defined by growth, visibility and global integration. As the gaming and fintech industries continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, Regulated United Europe (RUE) is strategically positioning itself to remain at the forefront of legal innovation, compliance and client collaboration worldwide.
Over the next three years — 2025, 2026, and 2027 — RUE is set to increase its visibility at a series of major global conferences and expos dedicated to gambling, iGaming, and financial regulation. Our mission is clear: to stay close to our clients, anticipate industry shifts, and actively contribute to conversations that will shape the future of the regulated digital economy.

Stepping Further: 2026

In 2026, RUE plans to expand its outreach even further by attending multiple summits and expos in Europe and Asia, two regions where regulatory innovation in digital assets and iGaming is accelerating.

We have already registered for SBC Summit North America 2026 and iGB Live Amsterdam, which are vital platforms for collaborating with international gaming operators, payment processors, and compliance software providers. These events are about more than just visibility — they are about learning, connecting and sharing best practices to ensure that RUE remains the trusted legal partner for global clients entering or scaling up within the European Economic Area (EEA).
At the same time, our Asian expansion initiative will take centre stage, with representatives attending major technology and gaming conferences in Singapore, Hong Kong and Seoul, where we will continue to establish partnerships with local advisory firms and compliance consultants. These collaborations aim to create a seamless legal bridge between the Asian and European gaming markets, enabling businesses to expand with confidence under our legal supervision.

Setting the Global Standard: 2027

By 2027, RUE aims to establish itself as a leading European legal and compliance consultancy specialising in crypto regulation, gambling licensing, and fintech law. Our long-term plan includes organising our own conference panels and workshops at major events such as ICE London 2027 and SBC Summit Barcelona 2027. There, RUE will host discussions on cross-border licensing models, AML frameworks, and regulatory harmonisation across the EU.

These sessions will showcase our expertise and provide a platform for collaboration between regulators, law firms and industry stakeholders, emphasising RUE’s commitment to responsible innovation and legal excellence.

Furthermore, RUE intends to support our clients by acting as speakers, sponsors and exhibitors at these global events, helping them to share their success stories. Many of the projects that began under our guidance, ranging from crypto payment platforms to licensed iGaming operators, have grown into thriving businesses that contribute to Europe’s digital economy. We take pride in being part of their journey.

A Vision for the Future

The years ahead are full of opportunity, growth, and global connection. For RUE, attending these conferences is about more than just visibility — it’s about presence, purpose, and partnership. Every conversation we have, every stand we visit and every handshake we exchange brings us closer to realising our mission: to establish Regulated United Europe as a bridge between innovative businesses and trusted regulation.

Our long-term objective remains unchanged: to help clients from all over the world to enter, grow and succeed in European and global markets with full legal confidence. Whether it’s MiCA licensing, VASP registration or gaming compliance, RUE is ready to provide expert guidance, international experience and personalised attention to every client.

Our presence at conferences in Barcelona, Singapore, London and beyond not only demonstrates our physical presence, but also represents our continuous evolution as a firm, our expanding network of partners and our belief that excellence in law begins with understanding, empathy and innovation.